UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF THE PINES
  • About
    • Vision, Mission, and Core Values of Church of the Pines
    • Welcome
    • From the Pastor
    • Staff & Leadership >
      • Ministry Council
  • Worship
    • Worship Services
    • Connect Card
    • Worship Videos
  • Lent & Easter 2026
    • Lent Study - RSVP
    • Lent Study - Class Topics
    • Easter Plants
  • Programs & Classes
    • Bible & Book Studies
  • Giving
    • Make a Gift
  • Mission Matters
    • Special Mission Focus - Organizations supported by Church of the Pines that work to eliminate food insecurity.
    • Mission Focus: Impact 2024
    • Lakeland Pantry Tour - February 3, 2025
  • Newsletter
  • Past Newsletters
  • Ministries
    • Stephen Ministry
  • Prayer Requests
  • Church Calendar
  • Altar Flowers
  • Special Church Events
    • A Feast of Faith: The Story of Our Harvest Dinners at Church of the Pines
  • Church Directory
  • Event/Room Usage Form
  • Photos & Videos
  • United Women in Faith
  • Emergency Contact Form
  • Christmas Eve 2024 Highlights
  • Faith & Reflection
    • Remembering Our Baptism
    • 12 New Year's Resolutions for 2026
  • Worship Videos
Lent Study - Information & RSVP to attend
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Lent - Holy Week - Easter

​The Way of Love: From Ashes to Resurrection
Lent is a sacred season of return—a time to slow down, reflect, and realign our lives with the love of Christ. This year, we follow Jesus not only to the cross, but through encounters that challenge, restore, and transform. In the wilderness, by a well, at a tomb, Jesus meets people with grace and truth. As we walk this path, we are invited to let go, to trust, and to be changed by love.



Lent and Easter Worship Services 2026
Ash Wednesday - February 18 - 6:00 p.m.
Palm Sunday - March 29 - 9:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday - April 2 - 7:00 p.m.
Good Friday - April 3 - 12:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday - April 5 - 9:30 a.m.
Attend worship services in person or online on Facebook at 
www.facebook.com/churchofthepines/ or
YouTube Channel at 
www.youtube.com/@umchurchofthepines



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Ash Wednesday — February 18, 2026 - 6 p.m.

​Dust and Renewal — The Call to Return

Isaiah 58:1–12 and Luke 18:9–14
We begin Lent with confession and repentance. It is an invitation to a season of spiritual reflection, humility, and renewal, moving us towards and serving one another. 

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First Sunday in Lent — February 22, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.
 Into the Wilderness — Trusting in God
 Luke 4:1–13 Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16
 Jesus’ wilderness experience models faithful dependence on God. Inviting us to acknowledge real temptations — fear, distraction, anxiety — and to trust God’s word. Encouraging us to find ways to deepen our reliance on Christ.

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Second Sunday in Lent — March 1, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.
 
​Transformed by New Birth
 John 3:1–17 and Psalm 22:23–31
WE explore how Jesus invites Nicodemus — and us — into rebirth and transformation. God’s promise is bigger than our limitations. In worship, we find hope beyond failure, openness to change, and God’s invitation into abundant life.
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Third Sunday in Lent — March 8, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.

​Thirsting for Living Water

 John 4:5–30, 39–42 and Psalm 95
Jesus offers “living water” to the thirsty soul. This passage invites us to recognize deep spiritual thirst — for meaning, belonging, love, and truth --
​and to drink deeply of Christ. 

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Fourth Sunday in Lent — March 15, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.

​Seeing and Believing
John 9:1–41
This story powerfully illustrates physical and spiritual sight. We are invited to reflect on how God opens our eyes to see clearly with empathy, clarity of vision, and action. 

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Fifth Sunday in Lent — March 22, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.

​Resurrection Hope in the Midst of Loss
John 11:1–45
We face loss and hope together. Lazarus’ story is raw — grief, delay, tears — and yet it blossoms into resurrection hope. God’s presence in suffering, community lament, and offers hope that transcends despair.

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​Fifth Sunday in Lent — March 22, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.

​Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as crowds welcomed him with palm branches and shouts of praise. It invites us to reflect on how quickly celebration can turn to challenge--
and how we choose to follow Christ.

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​Maundy Thursday - April 2, 2026 - 7:00 p.m.
​

Maundy Thursday remembers Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, where he shared bread and cup and gave a new commandment to love one another. It is a service of humility, service, and love as we remember Christ’s call to serve.

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Good Friday - April 3 - 12:00 p.m.

Good Friday is a solemn day of reflection on Jesus' suffering and death on the cross. Through prayer, scripture, and silence, we remember the depth of Christ's love
and the cost of grace.






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​Easter - April 5, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.


Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the triumph of life over death, love over fear, and hope over despair. It is a joyful celebration of new life and God's promise that nothing can separate us from love.

  • About
    • Vision, Mission, and Core Values of Church of the Pines
    • Welcome
    • From the Pastor
    • Staff & Leadership >
      • Ministry Council
  • Worship
    • Worship Services
    • Connect Card
    • Worship Videos
  • Lent & Easter 2026
    • Lent Study - RSVP
    • Lent Study - Class Topics
    • Easter Plants
  • Programs & Classes
    • Bible & Book Studies
  • Giving
    • Make a Gift
  • Mission Matters
    • Special Mission Focus - Organizations supported by Church of the Pines that work to eliminate food insecurity.
    • Mission Focus: Impact 2024
    • Lakeland Pantry Tour - February 3, 2025
  • Newsletter
  • Past Newsletters
  • Ministries
    • Stephen Ministry
  • Prayer Requests
  • Church Calendar
  • Altar Flowers
  • Special Church Events
    • A Feast of Faith: The Story of Our Harvest Dinners at Church of the Pines
  • Church Directory
  • Event/Room Usage Form
  • Photos & Videos
  • United Women in Faith
  • Emergency Contact Form
  • Christmas Eve 2024 Highlights
  • Faith & Reflection
    • Remembering Our Baptism
    • 12 New Year's Resolutions for 2026
  • Worship Videos